यदादित्यगतं तेजो जगद्भासयतेऽखिलम्।यच्चन्द्रमसि यच्चाग्नौ तत्तेजो विद्धि मामकम्।।15.12।।
yadāditya‑gatam tejo jagat bhāsayate ’khilam | yac candramasi yac cāgnau tat tejaḥ viddhi māmakam
Translation
Know that the splendor which moves with the sun illumines the whole universe, and the radiance of the moon and the fire are also My brilliance.
Word Meanings
yad — that which; āditya‑gatam — in the sunshine; tejaḥ — splendor; jagat — the whole world; bhāsayate — illuminates; akhilam — entirely; yac — that which; candramasi — in the moon; ca — also; agnau — in fire; tat — that; tejaḥ — splendor; viddhi — understand; māmakam — from Me.
Understanding the Verse
In this verse Krishna expands the doctrine of His immanence by comparing His divine energy to the most pervasive sources of natural light. The term yad‑āditya‑gatam tejaḥ denotes the radiant energy that travels with the sun; the sun’s light reaches every corner of the cosmos, symbolising that the Divine pervades all existence. By stating that this brilliance "jagat bhāsayate akhilam" (illuminates the whole world), the Lord stresses that His presence is not limited to a particular realm but pervades every particle of creation, both seen and unseen.
The verse then shifts to the moon and fire, two other luminous phenomena that, while derived from the sun’s power, have distinct qualities. The moon’s reflected light suggests subtle, reflected wisdom, while fire’s own flame represents transformative energy and spiritual vigor. By declaring “tatt ejaḥ viddhi māma‑kam,” Krishna invites the seeker to recognize that these secondary lights are not independent forces but emanations of His own divine brilliance. This reinforces the non‑dual teaching that all apparent multiplicity ultimately originates from a single source – the Supreme Self.
Contextually, Chapter 15 (The Yoga of the Supreme Divine Personality) deals with the distinction between the perishable material world (the “tree of life”) and the eternal spiritual realm. Verse 12 acts as a bridge, showing that even the most powerful material manifestations of light are merely reflections of the Supreme. The devotee, therefore, must cultivate a perception that sees beyond the apparent diversity of phenomena and discerns the underlying unity. This insight encourages surrender (bhakti) because recognizing the Divine as the source of all illumination naturally leads to reverence and devotion.
Philosophically, the verse aligns with the Sankhya‑Yoga synthesis presented throughout the Gita: the material qualities (gunas) are illuminated by the purusha (consciousness). The sun, moon, and fire are analogues for the three gunas—sattva, rajas, and tamas—yet their brilliance is never independent of the supreme consciousness that shapes them. By meditating on this truth, the aspirant can transcend identification with the fleeting lights and rest in the unchanging radiance of the Divine.
Practically, the verse offers a meditative focus: contemplate the sun’s light, the moon’s glow, and a sacred fire, and realize each is a manifestation of Krishna’s own energy. This realization dissolves fear of darkness (ignorance) and fosters inner clarity, guiding the seeker toward self‑realization and liberation (moksha).
